On Sat., April 28, 2023, 84 senior nursing majors were celebrated for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the last four years at the annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony. Friends, family, faculty, staff, and students gathered in the Abbey Church on Saturday morning to watch their loved ones receive their Saint Anselm College nurse’s pin.
The ceremony started with Nursing Department Executive Director Maureen O’Reilly, Ph.D., RN, reflecting on the pandemic with the seniors. “You were strong, you were resilient, you were persistent, and you are here today.” This was followed by a welcome address from Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., president of the college, who offered his congratulations and well wishes for the future of the senior nurses in this field.
Chloe Londoño-Ayr, the student speaker, reflected on their four years of nursing school. “It was messy, it was scary, and it was hard,” she said. Then, she later reminded her peers, “our professors, our friends, and our families are who got us through.”
She closed off her speech with encouraging words: “Life will be hard, we will face many trials, and we will fail. But if we have learned anything at all from this prestigious, Catholic institution, it is that with the right support, and with the right attitude, we will persevere and make it work. As it has worked out for me, I am confident that it will work out for all of you.”
The pins were blessed by Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., and Professors Jennifer O’Neill, RN, Carrie MacLeod ’83, Ph.D., RN, Joanna Poulin ’11, RN, and Michele Moreau, RN presented them to the students.
Meredith Gebski ’23 received the Dr. Joyce Clifford Student Leader award that recognizes a student who embodies the qualities of Dr. Joyce Clifford. Dr. Clifford was a compassionate, dedicated, and visionary leader in the nursing profession. She was one of the first graduates in the nursing program but has left an everlasting impact on the college.
Emily Butler ’23 received the Dr. Joanne K. Farley Award that recognizes a student who exemplifies the attributes of Dr. Farley and is a true representation of her. She had a true nursing spirit of caring, leadership, and selfless service on the local, state, and national levels.
The nursing class of 2023 proceeded to light the candles that honor and remember those they have cared for and loved ones that are no longer with them.
The student nurses took the Nightingale Pledge, an oath to honor and respect their patients and profession. The ceremony was then followed by a celebration Mass.
Nursing Class of 2023
